Ignition coil



June 12, 1934. EHRLICH 1,963,016

IGNITION COIL Filed De0. 24. 1932 Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IGNITION COIL corporation of Ohio Application December 2 14 Cla.ims.

This invention re1ates to induction coi1s suitable for producing a high tension current, and particularly to coils suitable for use in ignition systems for internal combustion engines.

The invention has for an object t0 provide a structure wher-ein the elements 01 the ignition 0011 and circuit connections thereto are enclosed, forming a moistproof unit.

The invention comprehends the provision 01" means f0r decreasing possibility of current 1eakage between the high tension terminal of the secondary winding'and the 10W tension terminals of the primary windings by increasing ehe surface pa.th between said terminals.

The invention embraces the provision of a novel and efficient method 01 supporting and protecting the terminals of the coi1 windings and circuit connections thereto fram moisture and foreign matter, insulating them from metallic contact with other parts.

Anothe1 object 01 the invention it to provide improved means for connecting and securing the high tension cables 130 the high tension terminal, keeping these connections free from moisture and foreign matter Which would tend to cause break downs and short circuits.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement wherein certain 01 the c0i1 winding terminals act as means for securing in p1ace the means used for protecting thecoil and terminals from moisture anal foreign matter.

Further objects and advantages are Within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the re- 1ated elements 01 the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, end to economies 01 manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a. consideration of the specification and drawing of certain forms of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a top p1an view of an ignition coil embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the lines 11 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the coi1 housing cover and coil terminals;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view haken substantially on the lines 44 of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of the terminals and high tension cover;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the coil housing with the high tension cover removed.

The invention may be included in any type of 4, 1932, Serial N0. 648,774

high tension apparatus and for a practical applicaticn I have selected to illustrate the same as incorporated in an ignition coil suitable for use in internal combustion engines. It is to be understood that I do not wish to lirnlt the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated, and that I also contemplate the use of my invention wherever the same may be found to be applicable.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figure 2 in which the coil structure is illustrated, the coi1 assembly comprises a, metallic tubular member 15 closed at one end by a cover or base 15 interlo-cking one end 01 tubula1 membex 15 forming an a.ir-tight container o1 coi1 housing 17. Within the 0011 housing 17 and adjacent to tubular member 15 is a plurality 01 sheet metal members 01 laminations 19, preferably of semicircular formation, these laminations being supported on base 16 and terminating slightly be1ow the extreme end 0f the casing 17. Concentric With the laminations 19 is a tube of insulating mate1ial 2G, Which tube serves as insulating means between the la.mination 19 and the primary winding 22 of the ignition coi1. Primary Winding 22 is fixedly secured 110 an insulating tube 24 resting on base 16. Within the insulating tube 24 is located a cylindrical porcelain member 26 having a central recess 28 adapted to receive a core of magnetic material 30. The core of magnetic material 30 is preferably formed 0f a plurality of laminations 0x strips compactly assembled Within a tubular membe1 32 of insulating material, one end of which is received Within recess 28 and is suppo1ted by base 26. Adjacent 130 the co1e 30 is the high tension Winding comprising a plurality of layers 01 wire 34 properly separated by insulating material 36 which projects at each extremity of the layers 01 Wl1e 3&1. One 01 the ends 0f the insulating material is in engagement with the porcelain base 26.

The 0011 housing 17 is closed by a nun-couducting member 01 coi1 housing cover 40 prefer ab1y ma.de cf a mou1ded insulating compound in which is imbedded a metal1ic ring 41 having a flange portion 42 wnich snugly fit5 the outer wa1l 01 the coi1 housing 17 2md serves for securing cover 40 to the coi1 housing 17 in any suitab1e manner as by soldering, as illustrated at 43, providing a hermetieally closed container. C011 housing cover 40 is provided at its inner end with a. downwardly extending annular flange 0r skirt 45 which surrounds one end of the magnetic core structure 30, and contacts With the edges of the insulating materia1 separating the layers of wire 0f the high tension windings. Within the skirt portion 45 is located lead 01 connecting 1ink 47 serving to connect the inner end of the high tension winding to the high tension terminal o1 metallic threaded hollow membe1 50 supported by the C011 housing cover 40 by passing through an opening in cove1 40 and soldering leac1 47 to terminal 50. Imbedded in coi1 housing cover 40 is 10W tension terminal 52 to which is attached the outer end of the primary winding by means of a. 1ead 53 w'nich is located outside of the skirt portion 45 and which 1ead is sur- 1ounded by a tubula1 insulating member 01 in' sulating sleeve 54.

The tenninals 01 the coi1 illustrating my in vention to which the circuit connections are attached are simliar1y c0nst1ucted and carried by coi1 cover 40, and for that 1eason on1y one termina1is illustr-ated, and the method of connecting ii: to the coil winding is described in detail. Terrnina1 52 as paiticulaily shown in Figure 4 is made of a good e1ec trical conducting n1aterial,

such as copper, and is preferably in the fo'rm of a hollow threaded member having an en1arged portion 55 adjacent to the tn1eaded portion 56, enlarged portion 55 is imbedded in the insulating compound. of which cover is made, forming raised portions cf bosses 57. Cover 40, adjacent toenla1ged hollow portion 55, is provided With an opening 58 h1ough which passeg lead 53 which projects th1ough the h0110w threaded portion 56 01 contact 52.

So1der is applied as at 59 to close the termina1 52 and secure a good electrical connection between lead 53 and terminal 52.

- The other end of the high tension Winding, as we1l as the inne1 er'1d of the primary o1 10W tenslon winding, is connected to the terminal 61 im-- bedded in coi1 housing cover 40, by rneans of a Connecizing 1ink o1 1ead 62 located outside of the ski1t portion and suitably insulated by means of tubular insulating'rnember 64. Terminal 61 is of simi1ar construction to termina1 52 and lead 62 is secured m said terminal in a sin1ilar manner, as 1ad 53. The ski1t portion 45 0f the coi1 housing cover 40 forms a baffle and provides an obstruction f01 decreasing the possibility of eurrent leakage betvveen the high terision terminal Of the secondary Winding and the 10W tension ter'rninals 52 and 61 of the primary winding by increasing the surface path between said terminals.

The outer end of coi1 housing cover 40 is provided with a'substanti'ally U-shaped Wall 01 projecting portion 65 which forms a separating bafile between the 10W tension terminals 52 anti 61 surrounding the high tension terminal 50 and serves as means im decreasing the possibility of surrent leakage between the 10W tension sion connections and keep the sarne f1ee from inoisture and foleign matter which tends t0 cause breakdown and short circuits, I provide an -outeir cover made of a suitable insulating compound adapted to snugly fit the 0111281 Wall "72 of the coil housing cover 40.

Cover 70 is provided with openings 74 through which pass the 10W tension terminals 52 and 61 respectively. In o1de1 to hermeticaily seal the high tension connections I provide a rubbe1 gasket; 78 surrounding terminais 52 and 61 and these gaskets p1oject ino a recess 79 01 the high tension cover 70. Cover 70 is kept tightly in p1ace by nuts 80 coacting With t'ne 10W tension terminals 52 and 61 and 1ock washers 82. A portion of the high tension cover '70 is provided with a semicircula1 groove which coacts With semi-circular groove 67 and 1aised portion 69 0f mernber 40 f01 compressing and supporting the high tension cab1e 83 attacned to high tension te1minal 50, and secured in place by nut 85 coacting with threaded portion of terminal 50. Groove 67 is provided With a ridge 69 whish coacts With opening in the side wa11 of cover 70 f01 tightly gripping the insulating cab1e 83 when cable is secured to contact 50 and when the cover 70 is tightly u1ged in p1ace through the tightening 01 nuts 80 coacting With threaded portion 01 terminals 52 and by providing a water tight enclosure, thus preventing dust, W2t1361 and other foreign substances from fouling o1 otherwise injuring the coi1 connection. It can be seen that terminals 52 and 61 serve to receive tne circuit connections o1 wires 86 and 87, and at the Same time act as means fo1 secln'ing high tension cove 70 in place.

The coi1 structure is assembled Within fihe coil housing 17 and before placing the insulating cover 40 any 01 the remaining cavities or spaces between the parts a1e filled with an insulating pitch o1 other insulating material (not shown), Which is impervious to moisture and Which serves as an additional means so prevent tne derangement of the parts Within ehe coi1 housing.

It is apparent that, Within the scope 01 the invention modifications und different arrangements rnay be made othe1 than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variabionS thereof.

What I c1aim is:

1. An ignition coil including in combination a terminal; a non-conduc-ting terminal supporting mamber; a non-conducting closure positioned adjacent to said first mentioned member providing an enclosre f01 said terminal; insulating projecting portions on said terminal supporting member adjacent said tenninal; and means 1'0r fixedly retaining said closura in position to "ehe terminal supporting mernber.

A 2. An ignition coi1 including in combination a core of magnetzizable material; windings surro'unding said cofe; said windings having termina1s; a container f01' said core und windings; a cover fo1 said Container, said cove1 supporting the terminals 01 said windings; 1neans coope1ating With said cove1 f01 separating one terminal f1orn the other terminals, and a closure enclosing said cooperating means and terminal.

3. An ignition 0011 inc1uding in cornbination a eure of xnagnetizable material; high anti 10W tension windings surrounding said core, said windings having terminals; a m'eta1lic container fo1 said core and windings; a cover for said container, said cover supporting the terminals of said windings; means projecting in one side of said cover fo1 separating one terminal frornthe other terminals, and a closure enclosing said projecting means aiid terminal.

4. An ignition coi1 including in cornbination a core of magnetizable material; high tension ai1d 10W tension windings surrounding said core; a metallic container for said core and windings; a cover for said container, said cover Supporting the terminals of said windings; means projecting from both sides of said cover for separating one terminal from the other terminals, and a closure enclosing said projecting means on one side of said cover and said terminal.

5. An ignition coil comprising a tubular casfing containing primary and secondary windings, a non-conducting cover for the casing; Drima.ry and secondary terminals carried by the cover; a, skirt provided on the cover extending within the coil casing; a central magnetizable core extending within the skirt; said secondary winding surrounding the core having leads separated by the Wall of the skirt; said primary winding surrounding the secondary and having ics leads connected With the primary terminals carried by the cover; a projection on the outside of said cover for separating the primary and secondary teminals; and a. removable closure secured to said coil cover.

6. A moisture-proof terminal for ignition coils and the like, comprising in combination a nonconducting terminal supporting member provided With a groove adjacent said terminal, a projecting wall surrounding said terminal and said groove, a, non-conducting cover removably supported on said first mentioned mernber providing an enclosure for said groove and termina1, and means for clamping the closure to the terminal supporting member.

'7. An ignition coil comprising a tubular casing, containing primary and secondary windings a non-conducting cover for the casing; a. plurality of primary terminals and a, secondary termina1 carried by the cover; a, skirt provided on the cover extending within the coil casing; a. central magnetizable core extending within the skirt; said secondary winding surrounding the core having leads separated by the Wall of the skirt; said primary winding surrounding the secondary and having its leads connected with the primary terminals; and a projection coacting with said cover for separating the primary terminals and high tension terminal; and a removable closure secured to sa.id coil cover.

8. A moisture-proof terminal arrangement for ignition coils and the like, comprising in combination a, non-conducting terminal supporting member provided With a groove, a projecting wa.ll surrounding said terminals adjacent said groove, a non-conducting closure removably supported 011 said first mentioned member providing an enclosure for said groove and terminals, and means for fixedly retaining the closure to the terminal supporting member.

9. An ignition coil including in combination a p1ura.lity of terminals; a non-conducting memher for supporting said terminals; a non-conducting closure positioned adjacent to said memher providing' an enc1osure for one 0f said termina1s; a.nd means coacting with one of said terminals for fixedly retaining said closure in position.

10. An ignition coil including i1 combination a plurality of terminals; a non-conducting member for supporting said terminals; a non-conducting closure positioned adjacent to said member; means projecting from said member for separating one terminal from the other terminal; and means coacting with one of said terminals for fixedly retaining said closure in position whereby one terminal and the projecting means adjacent thereto are enclosed by said closure.

11. An ignition coil including in combination, a housing containing primary and secondary windings; a rnember of non-conducting material serving as a cover f01' said housing and carrying a plurality of terminals f01 said windings; a. second member supported by said first mentioned member forming a. chamber for enclosing 21 terminal of said secondary Winding; a. wa1l Within said chamber f r separating said secondary terminal from t e other terminals; and means co-acting With one of the other terminals for retaining said second member in position.

12. An ignition coil including in combination, a housing containing primary and secondary windings; a member of non-conducting material forming part of said housing supporting at least three terminals connected to said Windings; a. removable member co-acting with said first mentioned membe1 to form a. chamber; ar Wall Within said chamber carried by one of said members for separating one of said terminals from the other of said terminals.

13. An ignition coil including in combination, a casing; a non-conducting cover for said casing; primary and seconda.ry terminals carried by said cover; a, removable closure secured to said cover by one of said terminals, said closure and cover forming a chamber; a, groove formed on said cover adjacent to one of said terminals; and a projecting Wall substantially dividing said chamber adjacent so said terminal and said groove for separating one of said terminals from the other said terminals.

14. An ignition coil including in combination, a casing; a non-conducting cover for said casfing; primary and secondary terminals carried by said cover; a removable closure co-acting with said cover to form a chamber enclosing a secondary termina1, said removable cover being provided with openings through which a primary terminal projects, and with a lateral opening through which the circuit connection for the secondary terminal located Within said chamber extends; a.nd means co-acting with a. projecting portion of a primary terminal for fixedly securing the closure in position.

LOUIS B. EHRLICH. 

